Housekeeping

Warwick Valley BOEuses last meeting of the 2013-14 school year to commend, count and complete

By Abby WolfWARWICK — The Warwick Valley School Board cleared up old business for the 2013-14 school year at the regular monthly meeting on Monday evening:

CommendationsThe board acknowledged the NAMM Foundation’s recognition of the district’s Music Department as a recipient of the 2014 Best Community for Music Education.

The district also recognized 2013-14 student liaison to the school board and graduating WVHS senior Gianna Rotondo, and introduced her successor for 2014-15, incoming WVHS senior Julie O’Brien.

Fair Funding The Fair Funding committee is looking to build on the groundwork it laid last year, in terms of both public outreach and lobbying elected officials, as it hosts a kick-off event to be held in August; the group will be focusing on the upcoming elections at the state level, as it seeks to restore funding for public education that has been cut over the past five years.

TechnologyTechnology committee members will be hosting a Google Academy as part of the district’s professional development for teachers during the summer break; the district hopes to implement use of Google ChromeBooks when school resumes in the fall.

‘From Medicine Cabinet to Heroin’

The wellness committee, in partnership with the Warwick Valley Community Coalition, hosted a presentation by ADAC at the high school two weeks ago, attended by about 75 people.

Entitled ‘From Medicine Cabinet to Heroin,’ the presentation was part of an effort by the district to raise awareness of substance abuse in the community.

Noting that it’s been said that “the best place to find beer is right next to the milk,” school board member Bob Howe noted that “the best place to find drugs is in the medicine cabinet.”

He continued that “drugs are a problem in the community…a packet of heroin (for sale) on the street costs $6.”

Old businessThe BOE awarded bids for the following items: Physical education and athletic supplies; recaps and new steering tires; BOCES diesel fuel, to be supplied by East River Energy; refuse and recycling; and physician services.

Board members also gave the nod to custodial shift leader stipends: Park Avenue first shift - $4,500; Sanfordville first shift - $4,500; Middle School first shift - $5,000; High School second shift - $4,000.

WVCSD donates books Lynn Lillian is the board's newly elected president. Her advocacy committee was introduced to a school district in Binghamton that was in need of reading materials.

Horace Mann School was flooded after last year’s storms, and consequently lost many of the books for their reading program.

Assistant Superintendent for Business Tim Holmes, outgoing Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ray Bryant and WVCSD Communications liaison Maureen Westphal, initiated the hand over of about 10,000 volumes from Warwick’s closed schools (after determining the district no longer needed them).

“The kids there (in Binghamton) were excited to see” their counterparts from Warwick, according to board member Keith Parsons, and were no doubt thrilled to have books again for their school library.

New business The board approved the following donations: $350 for the Superintendent’s Art Purchase awards and $7,000 from Glenn P. and Susan D. Dickes for the Dorothy C. Wilson Scholarship.

Next Work session on June 23, 7 p.m., at the Dorothy C. Wilson Education Center.